Vaccinations/immunizations

I don't know if this has been asked yet...what do people think about vaccinations for children? Many people suggest that I should be well informed before my children get them. This is my first so I'm new to it all. Anyone know of websites that I could get info from?

I don't know if this has been asked yet...what do people think about vaccinations for children? Many people suggest that I should be well informed before my children get them. This is my first so I'm new to it all. Anyone know of websites that I could get info from?

I don't know of any websites off hand, but my suggestion is know your family history with them (Some people have died from the stuff in them, you'll want to make sure nobody in your family has), and allergies, and what is in each vaccine (Your doctor can help you with this). I did research on that before I gave them to my DD, and research on what the vaccines prevent and what some of the possibilities are for side effects from the vaccines and the likelihood of any of that happening, and decided I would rather risk the side effects than her getting what the vaccines prevent, especially since I didn't know where I would be, and things that the US got rid of through vaccinations, other countries haven't, including a few things from Canada, so I don't know. Weigh your good and your bad, and use more than just one website, talk with your pediatrician (You'll want to find one before too long anyway so you know you'll be comfortable with them before the baby comes) about what they recommend, and what they feel is worth the risks, vaccines or not, and why.

I don't know of any websites off hand, but my suggestion is know your family history with them (Some people have died from the stuff in them, you'll want to make sure nobody in your family has), and allergies, and what is in each vaccine (Your doctor can help you with this). I did research on that before I gave them to my DD, and research on what the vaccines prevent and what some of the possibilities are for side effects from the vaccines and the likelihood of any of that happening, and decided I would rather risk the side effects than her getting what the vaccines prevent, especially since I didn't know where I would be, and things that the US got rid of through vaccinations, other countries haven't, including a few things from Canada, so I don't know. Weigh your good and your bad, and use more than just one website, talk with your pediatrician (You'll want to find one before too long anyway so you know you'll be comfortable with them before the baby comes) about what they recommend, and what they feel is worth the risks, vaccines or not, and why.

Make sure you are really know what you are talking about before you go talk to a doctor. Also, make sure you have a good relationship with your doctor or pediatrician. I had read all sorts of things about vaccinations and I thought a different schedule for vaccinations was the way to go. I asked about it and was read the riot act. The doctor made me feel like I was a piece of crap for even asking. As soon as he left the hospital room, I cried for like hours. I eventually left that doctor's office. It was a family practice and there were 2 other incidents that made me change. I loved the nurse practitioner and miss her but the doctors are a husband and wife team and were complete a-holes. I found a pediatrician I really liked and never once mentioned the different schedule for vaccines. She gave me all sorts of literature to read and was really great about it. I felt comfortable about giving Autumn the shots when they combined three of them into one and she only needed 2 every time vs. 4. HTH!

Make sure you are really know what you are talking about before you go talk to a doctor. Also, make sure you have a good relationship with your doctor or pediatrician. I had read all sorts of things about vaccinations and I thought a different schedule for vaccinations was the way to go. I asked about it and was read the riot act. The doctor made me feel like I was a piece of crap for even asking. As soon as he left the hospital room, I cried for like hours. I eventually left that doctor's office. It was a family practice and there were 2 other incidents that made me change. I loved the nurse practitioner and miss her but the doctors are a husband and wife team and were complete a-holes. I found a pediatrician I really liked and never once mentioned the different schedule for vaccines. She gave me all sorts of literature to read and was really great about it. I felt comfortable about giving Autumn the shots when they combined three of them into one and she only needed 2 every time vs. 4. HTH!

I split up my daughters vaccines so she was not getting 4 in one visit but she is fully vaccinated. It is a huge worry because we had the fake autism report that proved wrong but has still left doubt in many parents minds. We also have celebrities like Jenny McCarthy who people seem to believe more than a dr such as Paul offit. It's a tricky one.

I split up my daughters vaccines so she was not getting 4 in one visit but she is fully vaccinated. It is a huge worry because we had the fake autism report that proved wrong but has still left doubt in many parents minds. We also have celebrities like Jenny McCarthy who people seem to believe more than a dr such as Paul offit. It's a tricky one.

Something I became aware of recently that bothers me, is that there are a few vaccines that derived from aborted fetal cells. So if you have strong feelings about that subject you may want to research that aspect to. Good luck in your decision.

Something I became aware of recently that bothers me, is that there are a few vaccines that derived from aborted fetal cells. So if you have strong feelings about that subject you may want to research that aspect to. Good luck in your decision.

This is a personal decision but here is what I did with my children. First of all if you are well educated about shots and decide that you would like to to an alternative shot schedule ( still fully vaccinating but on a MUCH slower time line) you will most likely run in to resistance from your doctor. I had to leave our original practice because they were so incredibly pushy. They said to me that there is no reason to slow down the shot process and them as dr.s know what they are talking about blah blah blah. I was fine with fully vaccinating my children but you know what they are MY children and if I decide as their mother to space out the shots then that is my decision not theirs. Years ago you were also allowed to get the MMR in 3 separate shots so that is what I did. I am a bit nervous this time around since they stopped making individual shots for Measles Mumps and Rubella and I also know for a fact that I won't be getting this baby the MMR till they are as close to 3 as possible I will not give it to a 12 or 15 month old but that is my personal belief from what I have educated myself about. Dr. Sears is a wonderful dr and author who has web pages and books about alternative shot schedules. The key in all of this is to have a plan, be educated and then find a dr that will allow you to follow through with your plan. It might take some time and a lot of hearing how you are wrong or uninformed (if you decide to slow the shot process) but that is fine. Now I have no information on not vaccinating that is not my belief but I am sure that you can fine all the information you want on that too. Good luck!

This is a personal decision but here is what I did with my children. First of all if you are well educated about shots and decide that you would like to to an alternative shot schedule ( still fully vaccinating but on a MUCH slower time line) you will most likely run in to resistance from your doctor. I had to leave our original practice because they were so incredibly pushy. They said to me that there is no reason to slow down the shot process and them as dr.s know what they are talking about blah blah blah. I was fine with fully vaccinating my children but you know what they are MY children and if I decide as their mother to space out the shots then that is my decision not theirs. Years ago you were also allowed to get the MMR in 3 separate shots so that is what I did. I am a bit nervous this time around since they stopped making individual shots for Measles Mumps and Rubella and I also know for a fact that I won't be getting this baby the MMR till they are as close to 3 as possible I will not give it to a 12 or 15 month old but that is my personal belief from what I have educated myself about. Dr. Sears is a wonderful dr and author who has web pages and books about alternative shot schedules. The key in all of this is to have a plan, be educated and then find a dr that will allow you to follow through with your plan. It might take some time and a lot of hearing how you are wrong or uninformed (if you decide to slow the shot process) but that is fine. Now I have no information on not vaccinating that is not my belief but I am sure that you can fine all the information you want on that too. Good luck!

That is actually untrue. The vaccines (MMR, Chicken Pox, Hep A) are grown in cultures of self perpetuating cells originally harvested years ago from aborted tissue. It is impossible to inject anything containing human tissue as the body would reject it. That is why blood transfusions are done so carefully and require so much monitoring after the fact. They are not still harvesting human tissue to culture vaccines.

That is actually untrue. The vaccines (MMR, Chicken Pox, Hep A) are grown in cultures of self perpetuating cells originally harvested years ago from aborted tissue. It is impossible to inject anything containing human tissue as the body would reject it. That is why blood transfusions are done so carefully and require so much monitoring after the fact. They are not still harvesting human tissue to culture vaccines.

I will keep this as brief as possible because I am very passionate about vaccines and vaccine refusal makes me irrationally angry. Most respected pediatricians believe that the Dr. Sears book is not based in evidence at all. If your pediatrician is going along with it, it's most likely because they want to stay in business, not because it's good medicine. There is so much bad information out there about vaccines, please look at the AAP website (http://www.aap.org/immunization/) before you believe all of the lies told by the Jenny McCarthy types. I have no financial interest in vaccinating kids. I work in a community health clinic and we get free vaccines to give to poor children. Please remember, it's not just a personal choice. What you do impacts the health of kids around your child. There have been deaths of small babies recently due to pertussis (whooping cough) and meningitis (caused by HIB) because of low vaccination rates. We rely on herd immunity to protect newborns and kids with cancer. In addition to putting their own kids at risk of dying or serious illness, these are the kids at risk when parents make a "personal decision". And, finally, there is no connection between autism and vaccines. Anyone who says otherwise is choosing to ignore the evidence.

I will keep this as brief as possible because I am very passionate about vaccines and vaccine refusal makes me irrationally angry. Most respected pediatricians believe that the Dr. Sears book is not based in evidence at all. If your pediatrician is going along with it, it's most likely because they want to stay in business, not because it's good medicine. There is so much bad information out there about vaccines, please look at the AAP website (http://www.aap.org/immunization/) before you believe all of the lies told by the Jenny McCarthy types. I have no financial interest in vaccinating kids. I work in a community health clinic and we get free vaccines to give to poor children. Please remember, it's not just a personal choice. What you do impacts the health of kids around your child. There have been deaths of small babies recently due to pertussis (whooping cough) and meningitis (caused by HIB) because of low vaccination rates. We rely on herd immunity to protect newborns and kids with cancer. In addition to putting their own kids at risk of dying or serious illness, these are the kids at risk when parents make a "personal decision". And, finally, there is no connection between autism and vaccines. Anyone who says otherwise is choosing to ignore the evidence.

I was worried about our vaccines. I have horrible reactions to flu shots but didn't have any to the vaccines that we know of. My family moved when I was wee little and I suddenly was unable to breathe. I had to be on steriods and sleep on my mother's chest propped up to breathe at night and during the day I couldn't be left alone at all because I would randomly need stimulation. They still have no clue what caused it. My mom thinks it may have been either a shot or the new apartment. Who knows.Educate yourself on all areas that concern you. :) Good luck

I was worried about our vaccines. I have horrible reactions to flu shots but didn't have any to the vaccines that we know of. My family moved when I was wee little and I suddenly was unable to breathe. I had to be on steriods and sleep on my mother's chest propped up to breathe at night and during the day I couldn't be left alone at all because I would randomly need stimulation. They still have no clue what caused it. My mom thinks it may have been either a shot or the new apartment. Who knows.Educate yourself on all areas that concern you. :) Good luck

I don't think your anger about the lack of immunizations out there these days is irrational at all. I think it's perfectly rational and I'm right there with you!

As you mentioned, there was one study that linked vaccines to Autism and the scientist who created the study later admitted to falsifying the entire thing. Because of his lies many children have suffered horrible illnesses, wound up with life long disabilities and have even died.

I don't mind it if people spread them out but to do none is not only dangerous to their own child, it's dangerous to my child.

There was a little girl in Canada last year who was taken to the doctor for her 6 week check up. There was a boy (I think around 8 years old) who was also in the waiting room. He had never had any vaccines and, without realizing it, was carrying Pertussis (Whooping Cough) because you can carry it for 24-48 hours without having any symptoms. The little girl had not been vaccinated because she was too little. By that night she was in intensive care and within 48 hours she was dead.

I think it's important for any parent who's unsure of what to do to read as much as they can on BOTH sides because there's a lot of anti-vaccination propaganda out there.

I don't think your anger about the lack of immunizations out there these days is irrational at all. I think it's perfectly rational and I'm right there with you!

As you mentioned, there was one study that linked vaccines to Autism and the scientist who created the study later admitted to falsifying the entire thing. Because of his lies many children have suffered horrible illnesses, wound up with life long disabilities and have even died.

I don't mind it if people spread them out but to do none is not only dangerous to their own child, it's dangerous to my child.

There was a little girl in Canada last year who was taken to the doctor for her 6 week check up. There was a boy (I think around 8 years old) who was also in the waiting room. He had never had any vaccines and, without realizing it, was carrying Pertussis (Whooping Cough) because you can carry it for 24-48 hours without having any symptoms. The little girl had not been vaccinated because she was too little. By that night she was in intensive care and within 48 hours she was dead.

I think it's important for any parent who's unsure of what to do to read as much as they can on BOTH sides because there's a lot of anti-vaccination propaganda out there.

It's important to research and make the right decision for you and your family. Vaccines are not always safe and effective, and my little brother almost died from routine vaccinations. I also disagree that vaccines have nothing to do with autism since the government just issued a million dollar settlement to a family whose daughter ended up with autism that was linked to vaccines, plus I've had the opportunity to work with children with autism that went from fully-functioning, active, normal babies, to very sick and autistic hours to days of having their MMR. I am NOT saying that is causes autism, but for certain children with certain medical predispositions this does happen. There are definitely also some crazy ingredients like aborted fetal tissue, cow blood serum, monkey kidney cells, etc. and ingredients are different based on the injection and company who makes it. I personally find out what brands or combination my doctor offers and research the company, their ingredients, and their studies. I am not against vaccinations because it is a good idea for the population as a whole, however, there are serious risks and you have to decide what is best for your child.

It's important to research and make the right decision for you and your family. Vaccines are not always safe and effective, and my little brother almost died from routine vaccinations. I also disagree that vaccines have nothing to do with autism since the government just issued a million dollar settlement to a family whose daughter ended up with autism that was linked to vaccines, plus I've had the opportunity to work with children with autism that went from fully-functioning, active, normal babies, to very sick and autistic hours to days of having their MMR. I am NOT saying that is causes autism, but for certain children with certain medical predispositions this does happen. There are definitely also some crazy ingredients like aborted fetal tissue, cow blood serum, monkey kidney cells, etc. and ingredients are different based on the injection and company who makes it. I personally find out what brands or combination my doctor offers and research the company, their ingredients, and their studies. I am not against vaccinations because it is a good idea for the population as a whole, however, there are serious risks and you have to decide what is best for your child.

It is important to note that the government did not admit fault in the Hannah Poling case. Her underlying condition, a cellular disorder, had an impact on her specifically. There is no scientific link between vaccines and autism. Individuals, of course, may have an underlying genetic condition or allergy- for example, if your allergic to eggs, you should not get a flu shot and discuss it with your doctor. Or as in hannah's case. The amount of misinformation that is not scientifically supported us immense. When folks turn to these sites, this is what gets some of us in public health upset. And when a child is not vaccinated, it does put others at risk/may have a potential public health implication.It is important to ask questions and do research but the CDC and the AAP are not out to get anyone. As has Been stated elsewhere, 8 infants died in CA last year as a result of pertussis. This should not happen in 2010 in the US when we have vaccination to prevent it.

It is important to note that the government did not admit fault in the Hannah Poling case. Her underlying condition, a cellular disorder, had an impact on her specifically. There is no scientific link between vaccines and autism. Individuals, of course, may have an underlying genetic condition or allergy- for example, if your allergic to eggs, you should not get a flu shot and discuss it with your doctor. Or as in hannah's case. The amount of misinformation that is not scientifically supported us immense. When folks turn to these sites, this is what gets some of us in public health upset. And when a child is not vaccinated, it does put others at risk/may have a potential public health implication.It is important to ask questions and do research but the CDC and the AAP are not out to get anyone. As has Been stated elsewhere, 8 infants died in CA last year as a result of pertussis. This should not happen in 2010 in the US when we have vaccination to prevent it.

If you want to hear or read the anti-vaccine voice, become a fan of Dr. Tenpenny on facebook.I see that many of you are proponents of vaccinations. I for one, am not. But am not trying to sway anyone. This is my decision as I don't believe in herd immunity either. Please don't jump down my throat, I'm not jumping down yours.

If you want to hear or read the anti-vaccine voice, become a fan of Dr. Tenpenny on facebook.I see that many of you are proponents of vaccinations. I for one, am not. But am not trying to sway anyone. This is my decision as I don't believe in herd immunity either. Please don't jump down my throat, I'm not jumping down yours.

I wish pertussis didn't happen either in the US either but I will say that I was fully vaccinated as a child and still ended up getting pertussis (whooping cough). I am just trying to say that simply getting vaccinations while blindly thinking there are no risks or that they are 100% effective is not a good idea. It is so important to live a healthy lifestyle and know what risks are involved with or without vaccines.

I wish pertussis didn't happen either in the US either but I will say that I was fully vaccinated as a child and still ended up getting pertussis (whooping cough). I am just trying to say that simply getting vaccinations while blindly thinking there are no risks or that they are 100% effective is not a good idea. It is so important to live a healthy lifestyle and know what risks are involved with or without vaccines.

The vaccines do not contain those things. They are derived from them which is something different altogether. Even anti vaccine groups publish this information but it is purposefully distributed in a confusing manner to get people all fired up.

The vaccines do not contain those things. They are derived from them which is something different altogether. Even anti vaccine groups publish this information but it is purposefully distributed in a confusing manner to get people all fired up.

@oleanah: I am so happy that u posted this. It is amazing how people dont realize we are in a global village. Your kids may not be at immediate risk of polio, chicken pox, rubella, pertussis or measles but they come into contact with kids who have been exposed thru different means as they grow older. The diseases these vaccines protect us from have been known to wipe out children all over the world to this day! Protecting your child now means they are protected for life regardless of wether they decide to backpack through endemic areas when they are 20! NO study has shown an association btw autism and vaccinations -!societies that have low vaccination rates have comparable rates of autism in population studies. The fact that these diseases are rare is not because they don't exist anymore but because we ( soon to be mummies) got vaccinated against them as children !

@oleanah: I am so happy that u posted this. It is amazing how people dont realize we are in a global village. Your kids may not be at immediate risk of polio, chicken pox, rubella, pertussis or measles but they come into contact with kids who have been exposed thru different means as they grow older. The diseases these vaccines protect us from have been known to wipe out children all over the world to this day! Protecting your child now means they are protected for life regardless of wether they decide to backpack through endemic areas when they are 20! NO study has shown an association btw autism and vaccinations -!societies that have low vaccination rates have comparable rates of autism in population studies. The fact that these diseases are rare is not because they don't exist anymore but because we ( soon to be mummies) got vaccinated against them as children !

Thank you. There's a proven link in my family with autism and receiving vaccinations. We don't know why. Five boys in the current generation have it, including my brother. My son has traits. However, I did vaccinate despite my stepmom's extreme anxiety. I'm a believer in it but I don't like combined shots. I never have. I think a slower vaccination schedule makes sense on some of them because we weren't receiving so many that fast as children. But I have a great doctor who is very honest. With my sons temperament she recommended to do all 4 shots (4 year old shots) at one time to get it over with. She understood my fear. She can't explain why my family reacts this way but it is what it is. We had my son on an "autism alert" if you will from birth.

Thank you. There's a proven link in my family with autism and receiving vaccinations. We don't know why. Five boys in the current generation have it, including my brother. My son has traits. However, I did vaccinate despite my stepmom's extreme anxiety. I'm a believer in it but I don't like combined shots. I never have. I think a slower vaccination schedule makes sense on some of them because we weren't receiving so many that fast as children. But I have a great doctor who is very honest. With my sons temperament she recommended to do all 4 shots (4 year old shots) at one time to get it over with. She understood my fear. She can't explain why my family reacts this way but it is what it is. We had my son on an "autism alert" if you will from birth.

The material on this website is provided for educational purposes only and is not to be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, or in place of therapy or medical care. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy

Advertising Notice

This Site and third parties who place advertisements on this Site may collect and use information about your visits to this Site and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like to obtain more information about these advertising practices and to make choices about online behavioral advertising, please click here